Monday's American League Capsules

Monday's American League Capsules

August 16th, 2011 in News

DETROIT (AP) - Jim Thome hit his 600th career home run an inning after he hit No. 599 to help the Minnesota Twins outslug the Detroit Tigers 9-6 on Monday night.

Thome became the eighth major league player to reach 600, hitting a three-run shot off Daniel Schlereth in the seventh inning to give Minnesota a 9-5 lead. An inning earlier, Thome reached 599 with a two-run homer off Rick Porcello (11-8) that broke a 3-all tie.

Francisco Liriano (8-9) allowed five runs in six innings for the Twins and Joe Nathan earned his 10th save.

Both of Thome's homers were hit to the opposite field. When No. 600 cleared the fence in left, Thome raised his right fist as he went around first base, and the crowd in Detroit came to its feet to applaud him.

Before Monday's game, Thome hadn't homered since Aug. 4.

Yankees 7, Royals 4

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Derek Jeter drove in three runs, including two with a go-ahead triple in the sixth, and struggling A.J. Burnett finally won a game in August for New York.

Burnett (9-9) scattered 10 singles and a walk over 5 2-3 innings, but they only resulted in three runs. The right-hander had been winless in 13 starts in August since signing a five-year, $82.5 million deal with New York, going 0-8 with a 7.18 ERA.

Brett Gardner added a pair of RBIs and Mariano Rivera got his 31st save for the Yankees.

Felipe Paulino (1-5) allowed five runs on five walks and eight hits in just 5 1-3 innings, the erratic performance running his winless streak to six consecutive games.

Ian Kinsler had four hits and scored three runs, and Josh Hamilton added an RBI double in Texas' fourth straight win. Alexi Ogando (12-5) pitched eight-hit ball into the seventh inning for the Rangers (70-52), who have won nine of 11 while taking a five-game lead over Los Angeles (65-57) atop the AL West.

Bobby Cassevah (1-1) gave up one run while pitching 2 2-3 innings of relief for the Angels, who opened a key nine-game homestand with their fifth loss in six games.

Orioles 6, Athletics 2

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Robert Andino hit a go-ahead bases-loaded double in the seventh inning, and Josh Bell added a two-run single as Baltimore picked up a rare victory on the road.

Tommy Hunter (2-2) allowed two runs over 6 2-3 innings to earn his first win with Baltimore. The right-hander, who struck out three and walked one, had been winless in two starts since being acquired in a trade from Texas on July 30.

Matt Wieters and Mark Reynolds both homered as the Orioles opened a 10-game trip.

Gio Gonzalez (9-11) gave up four runs and four hits with three walks for the A's, who lost their fourth straight.

Mariners 6, Blue Jays 5

SEATTLE (AP) - Mike Carp and Casper Wells hit back-to-back home runs in the eighth inning to lead Seattle's comeback.

Carp, who also homered in the third inning, has a 15-game hitting streak and 17 RBIs in August, most in baseball for the month. It was his first two-homer game.

Eric Thames and Adam Lind had two-run homers for Toronto and Brett Lawrie had a solo shot.

Tom Wilhelmsen (1-0) earned his first major league win by working a 1-2-3 eighth inning, and Brandon League, a former Blue Jay, earned his 30th save in 34 opportunities.

Jon Rauch (5-4) gave up one run on three hits in 2-3 of an inning to take the loss.